Houston's Historic Black Hospital to Reopen as County Facility

Riverside General Hospital, originally known as the Houston Negro Hospital, is set to revive its legacy of serving the African American community.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Houston's landmark Riverside General Hospital, the city's first medical facility dedicated to serving the African American community, is undergoing restoration and will reopen as a county health facility. The hospital, founded in 1926 after Black doctors petitioned the city for a hospital to serve their patients who were denied care elsewhere due to segregation, has a profound legacy and will now address ongoing healthcare disparities.

Why it matters

The restoration of Riverside General Hospital is a symbolic act of reconciliation, addressing historical injustices faced by the African American community in Houston. The hospital's revival represents a tangible commitment to improving healthcare access for underserved populations and serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination of those who fought for equal access to medical care in a segregated society.

The details

The hospital was founded in 1926 after a group of Black doctors - R.O. Roett, Charles Jackson, B.J. Covington, Henry E. Lee and F. F. Stone - petitioned the city for a facility to serve African American patients who were routinely denied care at other hospitals due to segregation. Philanthropist Joseph S. Cullinan provided funding to build the 50-bed hospital, and it quickly became a vital center for medical care and training within the Black community, establishing the first nursing school in the city dedicated to training Black nurses. The hospital operated for decades, providing a range of medical services, until it was forced to suspend operations in 2015 following issues related to Medicaid fraud. The current restoration project aims to expand the hospital's capacity, modernize its facilities, and preserve its historical character.

  • The Houston Negro Hospital first opened its doors in 1926.
  • The hospital suspended operations in 2015 following Medicaid fraud issues.
  • The restoration project was announced earlier this week in 2026.

The players

Riverside General Hospital

A landmark hospital in Houston's Third Ward, originally known as the Houston Negro Hospital, that was the city's first medical facility dedicated to serving the African American community.

R.O. Roett, Charles Jackson, B.J. Covington, Henry E. Lee, F. F. Stone

A group of Black doctors who petitioned the city for a hospital to serve African American patients in the 1920s, as they were routinely denied care at other facilities due to segregation.

Joseph S. Cullinan

A Houston philanthropist who provided funding to erect the original 50-bed Houston Negro Hospital in 1926.

Rodney Ellis

Harris County Commissioner who explained that the hospital was a direct response to systemic inequality and segregation.

Dorothy Booker

A 92-year-old who volunteered at the hospital beginning in 1980 and recalls it as a beacon of hope for the community.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The restoration project aims to expand the hospital's capacity and modernize its facilities while preserving its historical character. Authorities are also appealing to the public for information leading to the recovery of the original bronze plaque that once adorned the hospital's entrance.

The takeaway

The revival of Riverside General Hospital represents a symbolic act of reconciliation and a tangible commitment to addressing historical healthcare disparities faced by the African American community in Houston. The project underscores a growing national movement to acknowledge and address the legacy of racial inequities in the healthcare system and invest in underserved communities.